Tennessee Tire Chain Laws

How Tennessee handles chains

Tennessee has no chain-up mandate for trucks. Chains are permitted, not required. You may run tire chains of reasonable proportions when snow or ice makes them needed for safety (T.C.A. 55-9-106). No R-1 levels or 'Chains Required' signs are posted in the state. Some carriers still cross the eastern mountains with a set aboard. Studded tires are legal October 1 to April 15 but not over 9,000 pounds. Check TDOT SmartWay or 511.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: Optional. No chain order is posted and no chain-control signs go up. You may run chains for traction in snow and ice. You are never ordered to.
• Where: No mandate. Voluntary traction runs through the eastern mountains: I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge near the North Carolina line, I-26 over Sams Gap, I-75 at Jellico Mountain, and US-441 over Newfound Gap.
• Applies to: No CMV chain mandate. The permissive rule covers any vehicle, with no weight threshold.
• Chains vs traction devices: Chains of reasonable proportions are allowed when snow or ice makes them needed for safety. Studded tires are legal October 1 to April 15 but banned above 9,000 pounds gross except on school and emergency buses (T.C.A. 55-9-106). No posted device levels, so cable chains or textile devices like AutoSock are a driver choice, not a graded pass.
• Check the live order: TDOT SmartWay at smartway.tn.gov, or dial 511.
• Fine: No chain-up fine, because chains are not required. Chains are optional for safety.

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